Chief Doug Palson remembered as 'trailblazer' instrumental in Indigenous-led policing

A Manitoba police chief is being remembered as a staunch advocate for Indigenous-led policing who work tirelessly to make First Nations communities safer, after his remains were believed to have been found in a house ravaged by fire earlier this week.

Portage la Prairie Fire and Emergency Chief Brad Bailey said crews were dispatched to a fire northeast of the city near the community of High Bluff early Wednesday morning.

When firefighters arrived, they found the house completely burned, and all that was left was the chimney standing, Bailey said. After investigating, they determined there could have been somebody inside the house.

RCMP were called to the home, which they confirmed belonged to Doug Palson, the chief of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service. They say they found remains inside but have not confirmed the identity of the deceased.

But the police service said it believes the remains were of Chief Doug Palson. 

"Palson was a remarkable leader, devoted public servant and beloved member of the policing community," the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Police Commission, which governs the Manitoba First Nations Police Service, said in a statement Thursday. 

"He led with compassion, empathy and integrity and was a tireless advocate for Indigenous-led, culturally safe, community-based policing."

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation Chief Gordon Bluesky is remembering Palson as a kind man who had an instrumental role in bringing the Manitoba First Nations Police Service to the community. 

"We very much needed to take steps towards making our community safer, he was very much in tune," Bluesky said. "He really took that to heart." 

Brokenhead became the 10th community to be patrolled by MFNPS after opening a temporary detachment in October, a milestone Bluesky believed wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Palson. 

Bluesky said the community had been looking for a culturally centred police force made up of First Nations people, and Palson worked closely with the council over the last year and a half to ensure everything was in place for the transition. 

"He kind of had that very much a police presence about him, but also a very kind and caring person … and an understanding of our people," Bluesky said. "For me, [it] went a long way."  

WATCH | Tributes pour in for Manitoba police chief after fatal house fire:

At an unrelated news conference Thursday, Premier Wab Kinew echoed similar sentiments, saying Palson was "a heck of a guy" who worked hard to make First Nations communities safer.